The cooler option.

If you put Pearl Izumi's Elite Gel Vent Gloves on one hand, and the Elite Gel glove on the other, you'll immediately notice the mesh panel along the ring and pinky fingers. This is an obvious addition in order to increase ventilation on stifling hot rides. What won't be noticed, though, unless you ride with both gloves on, is Pearl Izumi's In-R-Cool palm lining and vented gel padding.

This model, like the regular Elite, has the same 1:1 Comfort Gel Glove Padding layout that's optimized around the Ulnar and Median nerves in order to reduce numbness, while offering support and dampening. But, unlike the Elite, the Vents perforated gel pads and In-R-Cool lining allow significantly more airflow for those that ride when the sun's at its peak.

The palm features an anatomic cut and is constructed out of Clarino synthetic leather for a soft and durable interface. Along the top of the hand, a nylon, polyurethane, and spandex blend provides an unrestricted fit. In addition to this, the aforementioned provides a skin-cooling effect by pulling perspiration away from the skin and quickly evaporating it. The thumb gets a traditional wiping surface, and a hook-and-loop closure with a pull tab makes entry and exit of the gloves a simplified affair.

The Pearl Izumi Elite Gel Vent Gloves are available in five sizes from Small to XX-Large and in the colors Black, True Red, and White.

Have an answer for miles S.?

Good, not Great

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
True to size

These gloves are good for what they are designed for. I really like a low profile glove that keeps my hands from going numb, but doesn't raise my hand off the bar so much that I feel detached. They are thin, but do their job well.

Old vs. New Pad Comparison

Comment on David Platt's photo:

A good glove with a few caveats

I've been a PI gel glove guy for a long time! The newest version is a great glove. The gel is excellent for vibration reduction and general cushion. The breathability of this glove is top-notch and the materials are excellent. The new velcro strap is so much better than the old one! But I have a few caveats...

The gel pads on this version are external - and smaller. I was worried the minute I took them out of the box. Turns out they are fine on MTB bars and I don't think twice about it. On road bars however, it seems like there is too big a gap between the pads in certain hand positions. Specifically between the palm and thumb right where that seam is. I find that the curve of the bars from the tops to the hoods (where I frequently rest my hands) fits right in between those pads. The older version with the big white pads handled this a lot better (and they are still going strong after more miles than I can count).

I have a fat thumb, just one - the other one is not. The thumb holes on these gloves are pretty snug. I'm waiting to break them in some more but I might have to cut it to get my fatty through.

Comment on David Platt's review:

Bueno, eso es lo que pasa!

Seriously, so moved by my opinion about these gloves that I'm moved to author the first review in my semi-long life. In a nutshell.....these gloves......hate 'em! Perhaps the most uncomfortable and poorly padded/designed gloves I've ever owned. The problem......it's the gel pads..they're external and though small, have edges which to me, compromise bar feel and positioning. Two consecutive rides of 36 and 115 miles and my palms were uncomfortable (bordering on numb) within the first 1/2 hour. Now, the previous Elite Gel model, with the larger, white gel pads beneath some mesh, were and are about the BEST gloves I've ever had. The previous iteration offered a more substantial gel pad that to me, offered greater coverage and comfort. P.I., if you're listening, bring back the older model, please.....along with the Pittards Elite Thermal Glove....another great glove that fell to the wayside.

Great Glove!

Comment on Kevin N.'s review:

Not for me

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Maybe I need to 'break them in' a bit more, but I went on a 50 mile ride with these and my thumbs were actually going numb and my hands fatigued much quicker than with no gloves at all (how I've been riding up to this point). The gel is a bit too thick on the palms and eats into the meat of your hand after a while. On the plus side these gloves look great and breathe fantastically well.